Escorted Touring in Tuscany and Umbria

25th November 2016: While not something many people immediately think of when booking their holiday, escorted touring is a fantastic way to explore, learn and experience a country or location. Recently, I was lucky enough to join Insight Vacations on their tour of Tuscany and Umbria.

It's important to note the benefits of travelling on an escorted coach tour particularly with Insight Vacations as an experienced tour manager takes the lead, local expert guides pass on their knowledge and passion, Insight include key signature experiences and top rated highlights, and authentic local regional flavours tempt your palate at every opportunity.

If you weren’t sure if escorted touring is for you; read on, as this may just whet your appetite.

Rome

My tour starts in Rome with an early visit to the Vatican museum and taken beyond the rope barriers into a secret room filled with hidden art collections and the original Bramante Staircase. Here, I was incredibly excited to gaze at the incredible works of Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. This was followed by a full day with visits to the historic Colosseum, wish-making at the stunning Trevi Fountain and some time spent admiring the dome of the Pantheon.

Umbria

Next stop on the tour begins as you arrive in Orvieto in the region of Umbria. Here you’ll have time to explore the quaint lanes and enjoy an Italian coffee as you sit on the top of a rocky outcrop with the Cathedral façade as your back-drop.

Umbrian specialities are provided on a highlight lunch at the Zeppelin restaurant where renowned Etruscan chef Lorenzo Polegri entertained our group with a comedic guide to traditional pasta-making; all the while, drinking Italian wine.

An early evening arrival in Perugia, a university city started with a walk along the Corso Pietro Vanucci with our enthusiastic and local expert guide Marco. As evening approaches we choose the ‘dine-around’ option where a number of local restaurants were on-hand to help you experience a more Etruscan way of hospitality.

The next morning we visited one of the last remaining weavers’ factories in Italy which is run by Marta, the great-granddaughter of Giuditta Brozzetti. Marta gave us a demonstration of how a loom works and presented us with beautifully presented finished products. The factory is now supported by the Treadright Foundation to keep the craft alive.

Siena

Warm autumn sun welcomed our arrival in Siena which is awash with ancient history; it is said the sons of Remus, Senius and Aschius had fled there millennia ago. The fan-shaped Piazza del Campo is at the heart of the city where, in the summer, it becomes a horse-race track packed with 45,000 spectators.

Our hotel is located in the heart of Chianti wine country and the stunning Compagnie des Hotels in Radda which serves as our base for two nights. After a little persuading (not so much persuading), we were invited to a wine-tasting session at Castello d’albola where some of the finest Chianti wines are produced. Not one for souvenirs, I couldn’t resist getting a bottle to bring home with me!

On our tour, we were lucky enough to discover the pretty medieval town of San Gimignano. Famous for his unique and award-winning gelato, Sergio Dondoli welcomed us into his store to try some of the 40 plus flavours on offer; I recommend raspberry with rosemary!

We all agreed that today was the best day as we took a lunch at the former home of Niccolo Machiavelli. Now a restaurant and part of a museum we were entertained by a musical trio whilst enjoying a platter of culinary delights, the highlight of which was the steak.

Florence

En-route to our next stop we took a short detour to visit the sacred city of Florence where we marvelled at the Ponte Vecchio and the domed cathedral of Santa Maria de Fiore. With our local expert guide we were able to jump the long queues at the Galleria dell'accademia and gaze in awe at Michelangelo’s David as well as appreciating the many other art collections on display.

Venice

On arrival in Venice, were whisked across to Piazza San Marco to sample drinks at the famous Café Florian (I highly recommend their Aperol Spritz). A traditional Venetian dinner awaited us, far away from the maddening crowds, in a quiet courtyard. The exquisite food and refreshing drinks helped made for a wonderful evening.

What trip to Venice would be complete without a gondola journey? As a truly memorable experience which I would not hesitate to recommend, we were treated to a journey through the myriad of canals and serenaded by a gondolier too. Perfect.

Anna, our local guide helped us navigate through the city’s hidden streets and corners before we visited the island of Burano, known for its local crafts. At sunset, we bid Italy arrivederci, until the next time.

Find out more about Escorted Touring with Insight Vacations

Stuart Marmon, Travel Specialist